Light bulb handling device



Oct. 11, 1955 J. l.; FLETCHER LIGHT BULB HANDLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 13, 1954 ns R. l mh. J l, Il N fo Il@ 1.f/ w M N50., Nj wf w 2,720,411 BULB HANDLING" `DEVICE James L. Fletcher, Glasco,. Kans.

` Application September 153, 1954, Serial'No. 455,711

6 claims. (ci. 294-21) i l Thisl invention relates tonewI and useful improvements in devices for handling light bulbs, and particularly to a device adapted for use in inserting light bulbs into and removing them from sockets which are high above the iloor or ground, or which are otherwise of diflicult access. The changing of bulbs in ceiling xtures in high-ceilinged rooms, yard lights, and the like are suggested applications of my device, but it will be evident that the use thereof is not so limited.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a light bulb handling device of the character described having a bulb gripping member which will slip easily into engaging relationship with bulbs of a wide range of sizes, and will grip the bulbs frictionally.

Another important object is the provision of a light `bulb handling device having a bulb gripping member which when turned to screw the bulb into or out of a socket, will function automatically to grip the bulb more firmly, the bulb gripping force being generally proportional to the turning torque.

Other objects are extreme simplicity and economy of construction, the bulb gripping member comprising a sin gle length of spring wire, ease and efficiency of operation, and durability and the absence of any likelihood of getting out of order.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a light bulb handling device embodying the present invention, showing a light bulb engaged operatively thereby in broken lines.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line III--III of Fig. 2, with the light bulb omitted.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 designates generally the light bulb gripping member, which is carried by a handle 4. The handle may be of wood, metal, or other suitable material. It may be of any desired length, or it may be formed in separable sections, so that the length thereof may be adjusted as desired. It is shown as having a square cross-sectional shape, but this is optional. A pair of confronting channel members 6 embrace opposite sides of said handle at one end thereof, being rigidly secured thereto by rivets 8 or any other suitable fasteners. Said channels extend longitudinally beyond the i upper end f said handle, and a block 10 is secured between the extended portions thereof by a rivet 12 or other suitable means. Block is spaced slightly apart from handle 4, forming a shallow chamber 14 therebetween (see Fig. 3), and diagonally opposite longitudinal corners of said block are cut away, whereby to form tubular passages 16 between said block and channel members 6.

2,720 ,4l 1 Patented Oct. 11,

ICC

Clifamber'1f4 and passages l'iengage` the gripping m'ernhe 2i as described below.

The gripping member' 2 comprises a single continuous length 1'8 of spring wire formed to presenty a pair of op- 'posed loops 2li andi 212l disposed generally in parallel re- `l'ationshipto each` other andi tothe axis of handle 4". The

`wire is coveredv along the looped portions thereof by" a sheath 24 of softrubber or other material which iseresil-ientlyyieldable andv which will provide substantial fric tion when in `contact with the light bulb. Loop '20lcom- `prisesa pairof substantiallyparallel legs 26iandI 28 `connectedl at theirupper ends by curved portion 30, andfl'o'op 22- comprises a pair of substantially parallel legs `3`2and 341 connected at their upperends bycurved portionV 3'6. As best shown in Fig; 2, it will be seen that the `loop legs 26, 28, 32 and 34', which' are allV generally parallel, are disposedV subs-tantiallyat theA corners of a` square', so as to `engage frictionally a lightv bulb' 38 which is inserted" betweenlthe loops-as shown; the points ofcontact between the legs and the bulb being at points spaced substantially equally about the periphery of the bulb. The upper end portions of loops 20 and 22 are curved outwardly as indicated at 40 (see Fig. l), to facilitate the insertion of the bulb therebetween.

The lower ends of diagonally opposite: legs 26 and 34 are connected by a curved reach 42. The end portions 44 of wire 18, which form downward extensions of the other pair of diagonally opposite loop legs 28 and 32, are disposed in parallel relation, and are carried for axial oscillatory movement respectively in the passages 16 formed between block 10 and channel 6 of the handle portion. The extreme en-d portions of the wire is bent at right angles to form a short leg 46 disposed in chamber 14. This prevents the wire from being withdrawn from the handle, and permits limited axial rotation of the wire portions 44.

In operation, the light bulb is pushed between loops 20 and 22, or the loops pushed over the bulb, as previously described, and the handle 4 is then turned manually in either direction, -depending on whether it is desired to screw the bulb into or out of its socket. The spacing between the loops must be such that they grip the bulb frictionally with an initial load even when the handle is not being turned. Due to the resilience of the spring wire, it is apparent that one gripping member may be made to t several bulb sizes, though gripping members of different sizes would be required in connection with bulbs of widely different sizes. When the handle 4 is then turned, it will tend to turn ahead of the gripping member, due to the initial grip on the bulb which tends to retard the turn ing of the gripping member. This unequal turning of the handle and gripping member, in either direction, causes a rotation of wire portions 44 in passages 16, and tends to draw the loop legs 28 and 32 inwardly and toward legs 26 and 34, thereby gripping the bulb still more tightly. For example, if the handle is turned in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, leg 28 is urged inwardly and toward leg 34, and leg 32 is urged inwardly and toward leg 26. If the handle is turned in a counter-clockwise direction, leg 28 is urged inwardly and toward leg 26, and leg 32 is urged inwardly and toward leg 34. Thus the greater the turning torque applied to the handle, the greater the gripping force on the bulb will be. This elect would occur in some degree even if the ends of the wire were fixed non-rotatably in the handle, but is greatly magnified by the rotational mounting as shown and described.

While I have shown and described a specific embodi ment of my invention, it is apparent that many minor changes of structure and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

3 What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A light bulb handling device comprising an elongated handle, and a gripping member carried at one end of said handle and comprising a length of resilient material formed to present a pair of generally parallel loops adapted to receive a light bulb clampingly therebetween, each ofsaid loops having a pair of generally parallel legs which are also generally parallel to the axis of said handle, the first diagonally opposite pair of said loop legs being connected together by a reach of said resilient material at the ends thereof adjacent said handle, and the second diagonally opposite pair of said loop legs being extended toward and mounted in said handle.

. 2. The structure as set forth in claim l wherein the resilient material forming said clamping member comprises a length of spring wire with the portions thereof forming said loops having a covering sheath of resiliently yieldable material adapted to provide substantial friction be- `.tween said bulb and said gripping member.

` 3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting points of said leg extensions to said handle are spaced apart respectively on opposite sides of the plane of said first pair of legs, and lying in the plane of said second pair of legs.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rst and second pairs of legs lie in mutually right-angled planes, and wherein the extensions of said second pair of legs are connected to said handle at points lying in the plane of said second pair of legs and disposed respectively at opposite sides of the plane of said first pair of legs.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loop leg extensions are connected to said handle for free pivotal movement about axes parallel to said loop legs and to the axis of said handle.

6. The structure as set forth in claim l wherein said rst and second pairs of legs lie in mutually right-angled planes, and wherein the extensions of said second pair of legs are connected to said handle for pivotal movement about axes parallel to said handle axis, said axes being disposed in the plane of said second pair of legs and respectively at opposite sides of the plane of said rst pair of legs.

No references cited. 

